Health Insurance Coverage for Peace Corps Volunteers

Since the Peace Corps was establishment in 1961, more than 200,000 volunteers have provided services in 139 countries, according to Peace Corps statistics. Volunteers serve in areas such as education, agriculture, business development and AIDS prevention. The Peace Corps provides full medical coverage for its volunteers while serving abroad. Upon completing their Peace Corps service, volunteers can continue health care coverage through federally-administered and private programs.

Peace Corps Coverage During Service

• The Peace Corps provides comprehensive coverage for volunteers during their service. The health-care program includes immunizations, medical treatments for illnesses or injuries, prescription medications, health education and dental care. Prior to leaving for their assigned countries, Peace Corps volunteers receive medical evaluations, anti-malarial medications and vaccinations. Each country served by the Peace Corps has a medical officer who administers primary care for volunteers. In the event a volunteer needs medical care not available in the host country, the Peace Corps provides medical evacuation to a country where the services are provided. Peace Corps medical coverage pays 100 percent of health care costs during a volunteer's service.

Additional Insurance Coverage

• The Peace Corps advises retired volunteers to discuss health-care coverage with their private insurance providers before canceling policies during their service. Volunteers who may have a difficult time establishing new coverage after completing Peace Corps service may wish to maintain existing policies during their service. Medicare may allow individuals with Part B to cancel their coverage during their Peace Corps service and re-enroll after returning. Retired federal employees may be allowed to suspend their health-care coverage until they complete their Peace Corps service. Volunteers who wish to suspend, change or cancel additional coverage must personally initiate contact with their health-insurance providers.

CorpsCare

• Upon completing Peace Corps service, volunteers can enroll in the CorpsCare health care program. The Peace Corps pays for the first month of CorpsCare coverage for its volunteers, and they can elect to continue benefits for up to 18 months. Monthly premiums after the first month of coverage range from $99 to $163 for volunteers, as of March 2011. Volunteers can also elect to enroll their spouses in the program, as well as dependent children under the age of 18. Monthly premiums for dependent children are $138 and coverage for spouses is $149. CorpsCare policies do not cover service-related medical conditions.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act Coverage

• Volunteers who sustain injuries or contract illnesses while serving in the Peace Corps may qualify for coverage under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) when they complete their service. FECA covers service-related dental and medical conditions. Returning volunteers with service-related conditions must file a claim for FECA coverage no later than three years after the end of their service, or no later than three years after recognizing a service-related condition. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs administers FECA coverage and determines the eligibility of returning Peace Corps volunteers.